Confidence Hacks for a New Manager
Rising to a management position takes a lot of dedication, ability and hard graft.
That first time you step into your business as a new manager is going to be exciting and daunting at the same time. And it’s okay if you feel more than a little nervous.
There’s a lot to take in.
You may well have a few induction sessions should you work for a large corporation.
There are people to meet and an office to get in order.
If you’re a manager in an SME, you’ll probably be thrown right in at the deep end and be expected to swim.
If you want to give yourself a head start in your managerial career, here are some of these simple hacks that might just help:
Don’t Rush in and Commit Straight Away
The minute you sit down at your new desk, the chances are someone will ask you to make a decision on something.
After all, you’re a manager now. That’s what the company pay you to do.
That request could be something simple like a staff member asking for time off. It could be someone pleading to go ahead with a new project.
Don’t commit is the first hack for new managers. At least not until you get your feet firmly under the table.
It might sound like you’re showing lack of initiative. But making a quick decision before you know what’s going on can have consequences.
This isn’t procrastination, it’s just good common sense.
Tell the person asking for action that you will look into it and come back to them once you’ve settled in.
Give them a specific date by which you’ll do this.
Get a Mentor or a Friend
There’s the old adage that it’s lonely at the top.
You may know people in the team you’re managing and then there’s your immediate boss.
It helps to have someone else in a similar but more experience than you to get feedback and talk things over.
In big companies, a mentor is normally assigned to a new manager.
Again, if you work for a smaller concern, you may have to find that person yourself, perhaps outside the business itself.
Coping With Demand
Now that you’re a new manager, you will definitely be in greater demand, especially from your own team.
You’re email count will go up and your phone will ring more.
People will want to meet you, talk to you, get your advice.
The trouble is that these small events can quickly amalgamate and turn into big interruptions that stop you actually doing your job.
Scheduling when you are going handle staff problems, answer emails and deal with queries is important once you become a manager.
Set boundaries that allow you to get the important stuff done and stick to your guns.
Planning That Next Step
Who are you going to build strong relationships with?
What do you want to do at the next board meeting?
Just because you’ve reached the heady heights of management, doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax.
Those meetings are going to be more high powered from now on so you need to do your homework, make sure you read important documents before a meeting and set goals for what you want to achieve at them.
You may be looking to hone your management skills even more now and planning your continuing professional development, including what courses you want to attend and what you want to get out of them is going to be important.
New managers often neglect this area and fail to develop.
Setting the tone of your management career from the start, should give you the confidence not only to handle what the new role throws at you but adequately plan for the future.
It’s something that you should review at least once a month, set goals for at regular intervals if you want to continue to progress and make every effort to ensure your life as a manager and your career in leadership is a success.
